An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
